Help save my MINI - Cooper/One Suspension Swap

[The Dogfather]

An appeal!

I have Sports Suspension Plus fitted to my MINI.

I'm looking for someone with either a Cooper or a One who would be willing to swap suspension. If I'm not able to sort out a swap then it'll be bye bye MINI. There's nothing wrong with the suspension BTW.

Post if you're interested. Thanks.

[Craig]

why the need for the swap - too harsh a ride? ?

[Smurf]

If it's too harsh a ride - what size wheels do you have, Bad Dog? I have Sports Suspension Plus, with 16", and runflats, and I don't have any problems.

I believe the 17" runflats make it much harsher.

[Big Gordy]

I have a set of standard cooper springs in the loft if that's any help:question: :p:D:approve:

[john]

the last time he spoke of getting rid he converted to gas:(

Is the the big build up to air suspension??:D:D

[Wul]

Next stop "Pimp My Ride" for BDM's mini methinks and he's getting rid of the bits in advance!! :p

[The Dogfather]

It's the ride, its far too hard. I've got 17" and normal tyres not runflats.

I'm not sure if the just springs will help, any advice welcome.

[Smurf]

Try a set of 16" ! I don't mean go and buy some, well, not yet, but see if you can swap, and try it, it might make a difference?
Even with the runflats, I don't have any issues, apart from potholes, and there's nothing you can do about them.
On good roads - no worries.

It's just a thought - I"m no expert.

[duncan]

I'll agree with Smurf here. I've got the 16s, Runflats and SS+ and although its firmer than my old One, its not unbearable

[The Dogfather]

The car used to have 15" and the ride was still fairly hard, I need to err on the side of caution at the moment so suspension will need to be changed. :(

[Wul]

BD - My cooper is running the SS and 17" S-Spokes and I have to say i don't notice any real difference from the SS+ and 17"'s I had on my MCS. I reckon it's a ONE suspension you need to aim for........eh Gordy? ;):p

[Big Gordy]

Like Bad Dog says I don't know if just the springs would make a big enough difference:blackeye: But your more than welcome to try them if anyone has any evidence that it would make a difference. Maybe minime or one of the Menzies guys could shed some light on this for us;)..........ohhhhhhhhhh laydeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeez :p:D:approve:

[GAJ]

I had a One with standard suspension and 15"ers as a courtesy car once and I was surprised how soft the suspension was - but not in a good way.:eek:

[Big Gordy]

Ain't nothing wrong with standard "ONE" suspension in my opinion:evil: Having said that I run mine on 17"ers:D My old XR2 had adjustable Koni's on the front that I had set at 'half' and they shook your filling out:eek:so didn't want to go down that route again hence the standard set-up on our "ONE";) :p:D:approve:

[Big Col]

Translation : The wife wont let him do anything to the suspension on her car! ;):D

[sleepyrascal]

Bad dog you mini is like a cat! It really does have 9 lives (and only 5 left)

[Duncan Stewart]

:D You canny beat a good set of 15s :p (in my rather unique opinion ;))

[john]

chuck out the big heavy tank from the boot that should help!!:D

[The Dogfather]

quote:Originally posted by john

chuck out the big heavy tank from the boot that should help!!:D


That's no way to talk about Jackie :p:blackeye::eek:

[Crombers]

quote:Originally posted by bad dog mini


quote:Originally posted by john

chuck out the big heavy tank from the boot that should help!!:D


That's no way to talk about Jackie :p:blackeye::eek:


Hopefully Jackie does not visit NMS :p;)

[Gismo]

Paul, not being argumentitive here, but, surely you must have known before you installed the LPG whether the suspension was ideal or not:question:
As i see it, your theory of installing the LPG to cut your costs will actually cost you more than if you'd stuck with the normal expensive fossil fuel ;)
I seem to remember you saying that once installed you'd defo keep the car for it to make it cost effective :p

[The Dogfather]

Alan, I was going to keep the MINI long term, but there now seems to be a link between driving the MINI and a medical complaint.

If I don't drive the MINI for a few days I'm OK, but as soon as I drive the MINI lots of pain. I'm pretty sure its the hard ride........ :(

I really pee'd off as the MINI sounds great, handles brilliantly and does 260 miles on £15 of fuel. What the hell am I going to replace it with?

[Smitty]

Why dont you replace your wheels with 16's or even 15's?. I'm sure that would improve the ride.

[Big Col]

quote:Originally posted by bad dog mini

I need to err on the side of caution at the moment so suspension will need to be changed. :(


Sheesh you insensitive lot don't exactly pick up on subtle hints do ya's???? In his quote above he's trying to point out he has a medical reason for trying to get softer suspension but you guys make the guy spell it out that he has piles!!! Why not just buy a wee inflatable doughnut cushion BD? ;):D:clown:

[The Dogfather]

Col, you're the only large pain in the arse in a MINI :D

[The Dogfather]

The ride was still very fidgety when I had 15s

[GAJ]

quote:Originally posted by bad dog mini


quote:Originally posted by john

chuck out the big heavy tank from the boot that should help!!:D


That's no way to talk about Jackie :p:blackeye::eek:


Would that not be chuck out the big heavy boot from the tank?

Only kidding!;)

Nobody would describe a MINI as a tank!;);):clown:

[The Dogfather]

:D

[The Dogfather]

Looks like no luck on the suspension front then :(

A decision will be made tomorrow about the MINIs replacement either a A2 TDI Sport (to be superchipped to 110bhp), 3 Series Compact TD or my choice an 1.8 MX5.

It'll be nice to drive a car without the back/nerve pain.

A sad day approaches :(:(:(:(

[Big Col]

Awwwwwwww come on man there must be an alternative. Can you not change seats/wheels/complete suspension? :( Bad dog A3 TDI Sport or Bad Dog 3 series comact TD or Bad Dog Hairdresser doesn't have the same ring!

[The Dogfather]

I could change them but it still might not be enough, and it'll cost me another grand or so...... I'm not throwing anymore money at the car. Time to call it a day :(

The MX5 is still a good drivers car, and it'll tide me over until the new shape traveller comes out. BTW Col it was an A2 not A3

[Big Col]

Sorry mate. Typo. :)

[The Dogfather]

Ah, I did look at an A3 Sport but only 130 around no 150s

[N12 JLK]

Ive got 17" bullets with runflats and dont think its that bad, handles a lot better than the wheels I had on my One a few years back.:p

[The Dogfather]

quote:Originally posted by lesley12

Ive got 17" bullets with runflats and dont think its that bad, handles a lot better than the wheels I had on my One a few years back.:p


Lesley have you got sports plus? I have and for me it's bad, however I will miss the handling :(

Although powersides in the MX5, if we get it, will be lots of fun :D

[Craig]

you still coming down to Oxford Paul ? ?

[The Dogfather]

quote:Originally posted by craigd

you still coming down to Oxford Paul ? ?


If we decide to let the MINI go then probably not :(, however if I can sort out the suspension/seats then I'll be there.

I'll be able to let you know either today or tomorrow....

[Craig]

no probs Paul, hope you get it sorted, would be sad to loose another person to the "euro boxes"..;)

[The Dogfather]

I don't think an MX-5 would be classed as a Euro Box, a jap, hairdresser's ponce mobilee maybe ;)